MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero aims to gather enough evidence by "early next year" to urge Congress to proclaim the late Fernando Poe Jr. as the rightful winner of the 2004 presidential elections.

Escudero told reporters he is still gathering the evidence from the Blue Ribbon committee's investigation and talks with the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

The senator earlier proposed the creation of a fact-finding body that will determine if there was massive cheating in the 2004 presidential election.

He said Poe could be posthumously declared winner of that election if it is proven that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo used her position to commit poll fraud.

Poll chief Sixto Brillantes, however, said the Commission on Elections can no longer undo the proclamation of Mrs. Arroyo even if it is proven that she rigged the election.